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French artist Edouard Manet and American artist George Bellows were both painters of modern life - one capturing the world of 19th-century Paris, the other forging a career in early 20th-century New York.
But the similarities between these two virtuoso painters extend even further than this, as Ann Dumas, the co-curator of the RA's 'George Bellows' exhibition, explains in this video:
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All comments on this post - (10 comment)
I went to see the Manet exhibition with a cousin and then suggested we go up to the Bellows. I am familiar with Bellows work but she was so put off by the painting of the Boxers although I tried to point out its importance in painterly terms but she was adamant that she did not want to visit his exhibition. I shall now attempt to forward your excellent video and see if that will convince her to visit it after all.
Posted on: April 8, 2013 4:17 PM by Mary Lentz
I was very excited by the luscious, painterly surface of Bellows works depicted in the RA magazine. The boxers convey the brutal energy and tension of the sport that is so beautifully captured in Bellow's quickly executed brush marks. His tonal contrasts and creamy painterly surfaces so compliment the immediacy of the scene and is an ideal analytical partner to Manet. A wonderful video - I can't wait to see the Bellow's exhibition and re-visit the Manet.
Posted on: April 6, 2013 12:06 AM by Lorraine Lavan
George Bellows is one the best modern painters for me,I like realistic urban style of him,very dinamic present peope and spaces.
Posted on: March 30, 2013 7:44 PM by Marijan Gusar
Sympathise over boxing picture of Bellows. Hate boxing but what a dramatic piece of painting!
Posted on: March 30, 2013 8:54 AM by Peter Baker
i agree with Patricia. George Bellows is new to me, but having a irish immigrant father who would have been working in NY during the time of his Manhattan painting I was intrigued by the corrolation between Manet and Paris. A very interesting talk,thank you. I now need to know more.
Posted on: March 22, 2013 12:06 PM by Mary Jones
I agree - your 'talk' inspired me to go and look at the Bellow's exhibition! Thank you!
Posted on: March 22, 2013 7:41 AM by Ruth Rollitt
I was also put off from visiting the Bellows exhibition by the picture of the boxers.A rather brutal and unattractive painting. However having seen the video I will now be going to see the exhibition. I dont understand why that picture was used to advertise the event. I wonder if others agree or not?
Posted on: March 21, 2013 9:55 PM by R. Gamper
An excellent video comparing the two artists. It is a shame that the Bellows exhibition has to be advertised showing two boxers. I don't like boxing so it put me off! But having heard the video very tempted to visit the Manet again and the Bellows too.
Posted on: March 21, 2013 7:45 PM by Katrina Miller
Having just been to both exhibitions I found it a very cleverly presented programme as the work of each artist complemented the other in their likenesses and their differences. George Bellows' work was a complete and delightful surprise which made me want to see more of him in the future.
Posted on: March 21, 2013 6:57 PM by sylvia thompstone
Looking at the picture of the two boxers, I was not at all sure I would bother to go to the George Bellows exhibition, but haveing seen your video, I shall now definitely be coming.
Posted on: March 15, 2013 12:37 PM by Patricia Hayward